Mohammed Shami has ended his 13-year Test career with 229 wickets. While former teammates celebrate his contribution to Indian cricket, Ravi Shastri has questioned why the experienced fast bowler did not receive another opportunity.
Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami announced his retirement from Test cricket on November 6, 2026, bringing his 13-year journey in the longest format to an end. The 36-year-old finished his Test career with 229 wickets in 64 matches. His announcement prompted tributes from former teammates and cricket personalities. Meanwhile, former India head coach Ravi Shastri questioned why the selectors did not give the experienced pacer another opportunity.
The Mohammed Shami Test retirement announcement has also brought attention to his long absence from India’s red-ball team. Shami last played a Test match during the World Test Championship final against Australia in June 2023.
Shastri believes Shami had done enough in domestic cricket to demonstrate his match fitness. He pointed to the fast bowler’s appearances for Bengal and his ability to bowl extended spells in competitive matches.
Why did Mohammed Shami retire from Test cricket?
Shami announced his decision through a social media post on November 6. The date carried special meaning because he made his Test debut against the West Indies at Eden Gardens on November 6, 2013.
In his farewell message, Shami reflected on his experiences in the longest format. He thanked his teammates, coaches, family members, fans, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB).
He also recalled the injuries, challenges, wickets and comebacks that shaped his career.
His retirement came after more than three years away from India’s Test team. His final appearance in the format was the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval in London.
However, Shami has not announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. He intends to continue playing white-ball cricket, including the IPL and domestic competitions. He has also indicated that he is willing to play multi-day domestic cricket if required to maintain his fitness.
What did Ravi Shastri say about Mohammed Shami’s retirement?
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri expressed disappointment over Shami’s decision to leave Test cricket without receiving another opportunity in the national team.
Speaking on Sony Sports Network ahead of India’s second ODI against New Zealand, Shastri questioned the repeated concerns about Shami’s fitness.
He argued that bowling in competitive matches provides a better indication of a fast bowler’s match readiness than gym-based fitness alone.
Shastri pointed out that Shami had continued playing domestic cricket for Bengal and regularly bowled lengthy spells.
He said:
“I’ve heard all these press reports about his fitness not being good, but he was playing every game for Bengal. He was bowling 15-20 overs. What more do you want a player to do to prove his fitness?”
Shastri also explained that a bowler’s ability to deliver 10–12 overs during a competitive match should carry considerable weight when assessing match fitness.
He felt Shami could have offered India valuable experience, particularly when injuries affect senior fast bowlers.
The former coach further suggested that Shami had another 30–40 Test wickets left in his career. He believed the pacer deserved an opportunity during the preceding 12 months.
However, these remarks represent Shastri’s assessment of Shami’s readiness. They do not establish the selectors’ reasons for not recalling the fast bowler.
How did the cricket fraternity react to Shami’s retirement?
Shami’s announcement prompted emotional messages from former teammates and members of the cricket fraternity.
Former Bengal captain Manoj Tiwary shared a heartfelt tribute on social media. He recalled leading Bengal with Shami in his bowling attack and described the fast bowler as a warrior.
Tiwary said the red ball might no longer be in Shami’s hands, but cricket lovers would continue to remember his powerful bowling performances.
His message reflected the respect Shami earned through his performances in domestic and international cricket.
Shami’s ability to deliver important spells, particularly in challenging overseas conditions, also made him an important part of India’s Test bowling attack.
Mohammed Shami’s Test career statistics
Before Mohammed Shami Test retirement, he left the longest format with an impressive record. His ability to generate pace, seam movement and swing with the new and old ball helped him become one of India’s dependable fast bowlers.
According to the ICC, he collected 229 wickets in 64 Test matches, including six five-wicket hauls.
Here is a look at his career record:
| Career record | Details |
| Test debut | November 6, 2013 |
| Debut opponent | West Indies |
| Debut venue | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| Total Test matches | 64 |
| Total wickets | 229 |
| Bowling average | 27.71 |
| Five-wicket hauls | 6 |
| Best bowling figures | 6/56 |
| Last Test appearance | June 2023 |
| Age at retirement | 36 years |
His overseas performances formed an important part of his career. The ICC reported that Shami took 131 wickets in 35 Tests across India, South Africa and the West Indies, at an average of under 25.
South Africa witnessed some of his memorable performances.
During India’s 2018 tour, Shami took five wickets for 28 runs in the second innings of the Johannesburg Test. His performance helped India secure a victory in the match.
On India’s next tour of South Africa, he claimed eight wickets in the first Test at Centurion, where India registered another overseas victory.
These performances demonstrated his ability to trouble batters through pace, seam movement and reverse swing.
Why was Shami important to India’s Test bowling attack?
Shami offered India a combination of pace, accuracy and movement that helped the team compete in different playing conditions.
His ability to make the older ball move was particularly useful during overseas tours. He could continue challenging established batters even after the initial shine had disappeared.
He also played an important role during a period when India’s fast-bowling attack became increasingly competitive in overseas Test cricket.
However, injuries interrupted different stages of his career. His recovery periods affected his availability for international cricket, and he did not return to the Test team after the 2023 World Test Championship final.
His domestic appearances kept discussions about a possible comeback alive. Shastri’s remarks about Mohammed Shami Test retirement have now brought renewed attention to how selectors assess experienced players returning from injuries.
Will Mohammed Shami continue playing international cricket?
Yes. Shami has retired only from Test cricket and intends to continue playing white-ball formats.
His future plans include limited-overs cricket, the Indian Premier League and domestic competitions. He has also indicated his willingness to play multi-day domestic matches if required for fitness.
This means his retirement does not mark the end of his overall cricket career. His experience and bowling skills could remain available to teams in limited-overs competitions, subject to his fitness and selection.
The Mohammed Shami Test retirement announcement closes a memorable chapter that began at Eden Gardens in November 2013. He leaves the longest format with 229 wickets, six five-wicket hauls and several memorable performances across conditions.
While Shami’s Test career has ended, Shastri’s comments have opened a fresh discussion about the opportunities given to experienced players attempting to return to international cricket.
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